Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of operating a micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system to identify agricultural products, the method comprising: applying a silicon dioxide (silica) material encoded with an optical signature (micro-taggants) to each of a plurality of agricultural products, each of the micro-taggants encoding identifier information for each of the respective agricultural products; reading, via a hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggant reader, the micro-taggants applied to at least one of the plurality of agricultural products; and determining, via at least one processor, the identifier information for the at least one of the plurality of agricultural products based at least in part on the reading of the micro-taggants.
The agricultural industry faces challenges in tracking and authenticating products throughout the supply chain. A micro-taggant based tracking system addresses this by encoding unique identifier information into silicon dioxide (silica) particles, which are applied to agricultural products. These micro-taggants contain an optical signature that can be read using hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) technology. The HSI reader captures spectral data from the micro-taggants, which is then processed by a computing system to decode the identifier information. This allows for precise identification and tracking of individual agricultural products, ensuring traceability from farm to consumer. The system enhances supply chain transparency, reduces counterfeiting, and improves quality control by enabling rapid verification of product authenticity and origin. The micro-taggants are designed to be durable, non-toxic, and compatible with various agricultural products, ensuring they do not interfere with product quality or safety. The method leverages advanced imaging and data processing techniques to extract and interpret the encoded information, providing a reliable and scalable solution for agricultural product tracking.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products, the agricultural products comprising at least one of: cannabis, alcohol, coffee, cacao, tea, or product packaging.
This invention relates to a method for applying micro-taggants to agricultural products to enhance traceability and authentication. The method addresses the problem of counterfeiting, diversion, and supply chain fraud in high-value agricultural products by embedding unique, detectable micro-taggants into the products themselves or their packaging. These micro-taggants are microscopic particles or markers that can be detected using specialized techniques, allowing for verification of authenticity and origin. The method involves applying micro-taggants to multiple agricultural products, including cannabis, alcohol, coffee, cacao, tea, or their associated packaging. The micro-taggants are designed to be undetectable to the naked eye but can be identified through chemical, optical, or other analytical methods. This ensures that the products can be tracked throughout the supply chain, from production to consumer, reducing the risk of counterfeit goods entering the market. The micro-taggants may be applied during processing, packaging, or at another stage in the production cycle, depending on the product type. The method ensures that each batch or individual unit of the agricultural product is uniquely identifiable, enabling verification of authenticity and preventing unauthorized replication. This approach is particularly useful for high-value or regulated products where traceability and anti-counterfeiting measures are critical.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products, the agricultural products comprising at least one of a high-value crop, a derivative of a high-value crop, a government regulated crop, a derivative of a government regulated crop, or product packaging.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking and authentication using micro-taggants. The technology addresses challenges in verifying the origin, authenticity, and regulatory compliance of high-value or government-regulated crops, their derivatives, and associated packaging. Micro-taggants are applied to these agricultural products to enable traceability throughout the supply chain. The micro-taggants may include unique identifiers, chemical markers, or other traceable substances that can be detected and analyzed to confirm product authenticity, prevent counterfeiting, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The system allows for precise tracking of products from cultivation to distribution, enhancing supply chain transparency and security. By embedding these micro-taggants in high-value crops, their derivatives, or packaging, the invention provides a robust method for verifying product legitimacy and detecting fraudulent activities. The technology is particularly useful in industries where product authenticity and regulatory adherence are critical, such as pharmaceuticals, food safety, and luxury goods. The micro-taggants can be applied during various stages of production, ensuring that the entire lifecycle of the product is traceable and verifiable. This approach helps prevent illegal substitution, adulteration, or mislabeling, thereby protecting consumers and maintaining industry integrity.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, via at least one processor, identifier information for the plurality of agricultural products from a plurality of hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggant readers; and tracking, via the at least one processor, the plurality of agricultural products through a supply chain based at least in part on the received identifier information.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggants. The system addresses challenges in supply chain transparency, product authentication, and quality control by embedding unique spectral signatures (taggants) into agricultural products or their packaging. These signatures are detectable via HSI readers, enabling precise identification and tracking. The method involves applying HSI taggants to agricultural products, which may include crops, produce, or processed goods. The taggants are designed to emit specific spectral responses when scanned by HSI readers, allowing for unique identification. The system includes a network of HSI readers deployed at various supply chain nodes (e.g., farms, processing facilities, distribution centers, and retailers) to capture identifier information from the taggants. The captured data is processed by a central system to track the movement of products through the supply chain. This tracking ensures traceability, verifies product authenticity, and monitors quality by detecting deviations from expected spectral profiles. The system may also integrate with databases to store historical data, enabling analysis of product origins, handling conditions, and compliance with regulatory standards. The invention enhances supply chain visibility, reduces fraud, and improves food safety by providing a tamper-evident tracking mechanism.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants onto or mixing micro-taggants into the plurality of agricultural products, wherein the micro-taggants are carried by at least one of compressed ambient air or pressurized potable water.
Agricultural products are often subject to counterfeiting, adulteration, or contamination, making it difficult to verify authenticity, origin, or quality. To address this, micro-taggants—tiny, unique markers—are applied to agricultural products to enable tracking, authentication, and quality control. These micro-taggants can be embedded into or onto the products, allowing for detection and analysis to confirm legitimacy or trace supply chain origins. The method involves applying micro-taggants to multiple agricultural products by either depositing them onto the surface or mixing them into the product itself. The micro-taggants are delivered using compressed ambient air or pressurized potable water, ensuring even distribution and efficient application. This approach allows for scalable, non-invasive tagging that does not alter the product's physical or chemical properties. The micro-taggants can later be detected using specialized equipment, enabling verification of product authenticity, origin, and handling history. This system enhances supply chain transparency, reduces fraud, and ensures consumer safety by providing a reliable means to track agricultural products from production to consumption.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants onto or mixing micro-taggants into the plurality of agricultural products, wherein the micro-taggants are carried by a soluble organic agent.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants. The problem addressed is the need for traceability and authentication of agricultural products throughout the supply chain to prevent counterfeiting, ensure quality control, and verify origin. The solution involves applying micro-taggants to agricultural products, where the micro-taggants are carried by a soluble organic agent. The micro-taggants can be applied directly onto the product surface or mixed into the product itself. The soluble organic agent facilitates uniform distribution and adherence of the micro-taggants, ensuring they remain detectable even after processing or handling. The micro-taggants may include unique identifiers, chemical markers, or other detectable substances that allow for product verification at any stage of the supply chain. This method enhances traceability, enabling producers, distributors, and consumers to authenticate the product's origin and integrity. The soluble organic carrier ensures the micro-taggants remain effective without altering the product's properties or safety. This approach is particularly useful for high-value or easily counterfeited agricultural products, such as specialty crops, organic produce, or premium-grade commodities.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants onto or mixing micro-taggants into crop derived products or product packaging.
This invention relates to agricultural product authentication and traceability using micro-taggants. The technology addresses challenges in verifying product origin, preventing counterfeiting, and ensuring supply chain integrity for agricultural goods. Micro-taggants are microscopic particles or markers applied to or incorporated into crop-derived products or their packaging to enable unique identification and tracking. The method involves applying or mixing micro-taggants onto or into agricultural products or their packaging. These taggants can be chemical, biological, or synthetic markers that are detectable through specialized analytical techniques. The taggants may be applied during processing, packaging, or distribution stages to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain. The invention enhances product authentication by allowing verification of authenticity and origin at any point in the distribution process, reducing fraud and counterfeiting risks. The micro-taggants can be customized for specific products or batches, enabling precise tracking and authentication. This method is particularly useful for high-value agricultural products where provenance and authenticity are critical, such as organic produce, specialty crops, or premium packaged goods. The technology supports regulatory compliance, consumer trust, and brand protection by providing a verifiable means of tracking agricultural products from farm to consumer.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of the plurality of agricultural products multiple times throughout a vegetative growth cycle of each of the plurality of agricultural products.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants, addressing challenges in supply chain authentication and traceability. The method involves applying micro-taggants to agricultural products at multiple stages during their vegetative growth cycle. Micro-taggants are microscopic markers that can be detected to verify product authenticity, origin, and handling history. By applying these markers repeatedly throughout growth, the system ensures comprehensive traceability from cultivation to harvest. The process may include embedding or coating the products with unique micro-taggants at key developmental stages, such as germination, flowering, and maturation. These markers can be detected using specialized equipment to confirm the product's journey through the supply chain, preventing counterfeiting and ensuring compliance with quality standards. The repeated application enhances reliability by creating a multi-layered verification system that accounts for potential environmental or processing factors that might alter or degrade the markers. This approach is particularly useful for high-value crops, organic produce, or products subject to strict regulatory requirements. The method improves transparency and trust in agricultural supply chains by providing verifiable proof of origin and handling practices.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of the plurality of agricultural products during processing of the plurality of agricultural products.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants. The problem addressed is the need for traceability in agricultural supply chains to ensure product authenticity, quality control, and fraud prevention. Micro-taggants are microscopic markers applied to agricultural products to enable unique identification and tracking throughout processing, distribution, and sale. The method involves applying micro-taggants to multiple agricultural products during their processing. These micro-taggants are designed to be detectable using specialized equipment, allowing verification of product origin, handling history, and authenticity. The taggants may include chemical, biological, or physical markers that are embedded or coated onto the products. The application occurs during processing stages such as cleaning, sorting, packaging, or further manufacturing, ensuring seamless integration into existing workflows. The micro-taggants can be customized for different products, regions, or batches, enabling granular tracking. Detection systems at various points in the supply chain can read the taggants to verify product integrity and prevent counterfeiting. This method enhances transparency, reduces fraud, and improves supply chain efficiency by providing a tamper-evident tracking mechanism for agricultural goods.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises: dispersing the micro-taggants in a soluble organic agent; and spraying the soluble agent including the micro-taggants onto the agricultural products at least once during a vegetative growth cycle of the agricultural products.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants. The technology addresses the challenge of verifying the origin, authenticity, and handling history of agricultural products throughout the supply chain. Micro-taggants are microscopic particles or markers that can be uniquely identified and traced, providing a tamper-evident means of tracking products from farm to consumer. The method involves applying micro-taggants to agricultural products during their growth cycle. The micro-taggants are dispersed in a soluble organic agent, which is then sprayed onto the products at least once during their vegetative growth phase. This ensures the taggants adhere to the products, becoming embedded in their surfaces or tissues. The soluble organic agent facilitates even distribution and adhesion, while the micro-taggants remain detectable even after processing, packaging, or transportation. The micro-taggants can be detected using specialized scanning or imaging techniques, allowing for verification of product authenticity and traceability. This method enhances supply chain transparency, reduces counterfeiting, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. The soluble organic agent ensures the taggants are effectively applied without harming the agricultural products or altering their quality. The approach is particularly useful for high-value crops, organic produce, or products subject to strict certification requirements.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises: first applying micro-taggants to each of the plurality of agricultural products prior to planting; second applying micro-taggants to each of the plurality of agricultural products when the agricultural products have reached juvenile state; and third applying micro-taggants to each of the plurality of agricultural products when the agricultural products have reached mature state.
This invention relates to a method for tracking agricultural products using micro-taggants applied at multiple growth stages. The problem addressed is the need for improved traceability and authentication of agricultural products throughout their lifecycle, from planting to maturity. The method involves applying micro-taggants to each product at three distinct stages: before planting, during the juvenile state, and at maturity. Micro-taggants are microscopic markers that can be detected to verify authenticity, origin, and handling history. The first application occurs before planting, ensuring traceability from the earliest stage. The second application occurs when the product reaches a juvenile state, providing additional verification during early growth. The third application occurs at maturity, confirming the product's identity and integrity at harvest. This multi-stage tagging approach enhances security and reduces fraud by creating a layered verification system. The micro-taggants may include chemical, biological, or physical markers that are detectable through specialized techniques. The method ensures continuous traceability, helping to prevent counterfeiting, adulteration, and unauthorized distribution. This system is particularly useful for high-value crops, organic products, or those subject to regulatory requirements.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises mixing the micro-taggants with at least one of an oil, a crop derivative, concentrate, edible, beverage or other added value agricultural product.
This invention relates to a method for applying micro-taggants to agricultural products to enhance traceability and authentication. The method addresses the challenge of counterfeiting and fraud in the agricultural supply chain by embedding unique, detectable micro-taggants into various agricultural products. These micro-taggants are mixed with oils, crop derivatives, concentrates, edibles, beverages, or other value-added agricultural products to ensure seamless integration without altering the product's quality or usability. The micro-taggants can be detected using specialized techniques, allowing for verification of authenticity and origin throughout the supply chain. This approach ensures that agricultural products can be tracked from production to consumption, preventing fraud and ensuring consumer trust. The method is particularly useful for high-value or easily counterfeited agricultural products, such as specialty oils, premium beverages, or organic concentrates. By embedding micro-taggants directly into the product, the system provides a robust and tamper-evident means of authentication. The invention improves supply chain transparency and helps protect both producers and consumers from fraudulent activities.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprising applying micro-taggants that are unidentifiable to an unaided eye.
The invention relates to a method for applying micro-taggants to agricultural products to enhance traceability and authentication. The method addresses the challenge of counterfeiting and unauthorized distribution of agricultural goods by embedding micro-taggants that are invisible to the naked eye. These micro-taggants are applied to each of a plurality of agricultural products, allowing for unique identification and tracking throughout the supply chain. The micro-taggants may include microscopic particles, chemical markers, or other traceable substances that can be detected using specialized equipment. The method ensures that the taggants remain undetectable without assistance, preventing tampering or removal by unauthorized parties. This approach improves product authenticity, reduces fraud, and enhances supply chain transparency. The micro-taggants can be applied during processing, packaging, or distribution, ensuring seamless integration into existing agricultural workflows. The invention is particularly useful for high-value or regulated agricultural products where verification of origin and authenticity is critical.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products, and each of the micro-taggants encodes identifier information for each of the respective agricultural products which identifies tracking information of the respective agricultural products.
The invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants. The problem addressed is the need for precise identification and traceability of individual agricultural products throughout the supply chain. Micro-taggants are applied to each agricultural product, with each micro-taggant encoding unique identifier information specific to the product. This identifier contains tracking data, such as origin, production details, and handling history, enabling detailed monitoring of the product's journey from farm to consumer. The micro-taggants are designed to be durable, non-toxic, and resistant to environmental conditions, ensuring they remain intact and readable throughout the product's lifecycle. The system allows for real-time tracking, authentication, and verification of agricultural products, enhancing food safety, reducing fraud, and improving supply chain transparency. The micro-taggants can be detected using specialized scanning or imaging techniques, providing quick access to the encoded tracking information. This method ensures that each product is uniquely identifiable, facilitating efficient recall management and quality control in the event of contamination or other issues. The approach is particularly useful for high-value or perishable agricultural products where traceability is critical.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of cannabis products, and the plurality of cannabis products comprises at least one of seeds, flowers, oils, concentrates, edibles, infusions, distillates, fermentations, or product packaging.
This invention relates to a method for applying micro-taggants to agricultural products, specifically cannabis products, to enhance traceability and authentication. The method addresses the challenge of counterfeiting, diversion, and quality control in the cannabis industry by embedding unique, detectable micro-taggants into various cannabis-related items. These micro-taggants can be applied to a wide range of cannabis products, including seeds, flowers, oils, concentrates, edibles, infusions, distillates, fermentations, and even product packaging. The micro-taggants are designed to be undetectable to consumers but can be identified using specialized detection methods, enabling verification of product authenticity, origin, and integrity throughout the supply chain. This approach helps prevent illegal distribution, ensures compliance with regulations, and protects consumers from counterfeit or adulterated products. The method leverages advanced tagging technologies to provide a secure and scalable solution for tracking cannabis products from production to consumption.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products, and the micro-taggants are constructed of materials that do not burn, oxidize or otherwise degrade upon combustion.
This invention relates to agricultural product tracking using micro-taggants that remain intact during combustion. The technology addresses the challenge of traceability in agricultural supply chains, particularly for products that may undergo processing or destruction by fire, such as during disposal or accidental fires. Traditional tagging methods often fail under high temperatures, leading to loss of traceability. The method involves applying micro-taggants to multiple agricultural products. These micro-taggants are designed to withstand combustion without burning, oxidizing, or degrading. This ensures that the tags remain detectable even after exposure to fire, allowing for post-combustion identification. The micro-taggants may be applied to individual products or batches, enabling tracking throughout the supply chain, including after processing or disposal. The invention also includes a system for detecting and analyzing the micro-taggants, which may involve spectroscopic or chemical analysis to identify the unique markers embedded in the tags. This ensures that the origin, authenticity, or handling history of the agricultural products can be verified even if the products have been partially or fully burned. The technology is particularly useful for high-value or regulated agricultural products where traceability is critical.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products comprises applying micro-taggants to each of a plurality of agricultural products, and the micro-taggants are constructed of non-toxic and inert materials that do not react with agricultural compounds when mixed with oils, concentrates, solvents, dilutions, dispersions and suspensions.
This invention relates to a method for applying micro-taggants to agricultural products to enhance traceability and authentication. The method addresses the challenge of ensuring the integrity and origin verification of agricultural products throughout the supply chain, which is critical for quality control, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. The micro-taggants are designed to be non-toxic and inert, ensuring they do not chemically react with the agricultural compounds when mixed with oils, concentrates, solvents, dilutions, dispersions, or suspensions. This prevents any adverse effects on the product's quality or safety. The micro-taggants can be applied to a variety of agricultural products, including raw materials, processed goods, and intermediate products, allowing for precise tracking and authentication at any stage. The inert and non-reactive nature of the micro-taggants ensures compatibility with different formulations and processing conditions, making them suitable for widespread use in the agricultural industry. The method enables efficient supply chain monitoring, fraud prevention, and compliance with regulatory standards.
18. A security system to identify agricultural products, the security system comprising: a plurality of micro-taggants applied to each of a plurality of agricultural products, each of the micro-taggants encoding identifier information for each of the respective agricultural products; at least one hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggant reader operable for reading the micro-taggants applied to the at least one of the plurality of agricultural products; at least one nontransitory processor-readable storage medium that stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data; and at least one processor communicably coupled to the at least one nontransitory processor-readable storage medium, in operation the at least one processor: determines the identifier information for the at least one of the plurality of agricultural products based at least in part on the reading of the micro-taggants by the at least one hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggant reader.
The security system is designed to identify and track agricultural products using micro-taggants and hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) technology. The system addresses challenges in supply chain transparency, counterfeit detection, and product authentication in the agricultural industry. Each agricultural product is marked with multiple micro-taggants, which encode unique identifier information. These micro-taggants are applied to the products and can be read by an HSI taggant reader. The reader captures spectral data from the micro-taggants, which is then processed by a computing system. The system includes a processor and a non-transitory storage medium containing instructions or data. The processor analyzes the spectral data to decode the identifier information from the micro-taggants, enabling precise identification of each agricultural product. This approach ensures traceability, reduces fraud, and enhances quality control in agricultural supply chains. The system may also include additional components, such as databases or communication interfaces, to further support tracking and verification processes. The use of HSI technology allows for non-destructive, high-precision reading of the micro-taggants, making the system suitable for various agricultural products and environments.
19. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of a second micro-taggants, said second micro-taggants having a different identifier information than the first micro-taggant.
The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system is designed to enhance traceability and authentication of agricultural products throughout the supply chain. The system addresses challenges in verifying product origin, detecting counterfeit goods, and ensuring compliance with quality standards by embedding micro-taggants—tiny, identifiable particles—into agricultural products or their packaging. These micro-taggants contain unique identifier information that can be detected and read using specialized equipment, enabling tracking from production to distribution. The system includes a plurality of first micro-taggants, each carrying distinct identifier information to uniquely mark individual products or batches. Additionally, the system incorporates a second set of micro-taggants with different identifier information, allowing for layered or hierarchical tracking. This dual-tagging approach can distinguish between different product types, production batches, or geographic origins, providing more granular traceability. The second micro-taggants may also serve as a secondary verification layer to enhance security and reduce the risk of counterfeiting. The system may integrate with databases or blockchain networks to store and cross-reference the identifier information, ensuring transparency and immutability of tracking data. This enables stakeholders, such as farmers, distributors, and consumers, to verify product authenticity and provenance efficiently. The use of micro-taggants ensures minimal impact on the product's physical properties while providing robust tracking capabilities.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the micro-taggants and the second micro-taggants each have different access controls enabled for viewing or tracking the status of the agricultural product.
The invention relates to a system for tracking and managing agricultural products using micro-taggants. The system addresses the need for secure, traceable, and controlled access to information about agricultural products throughout their supply chain. Micro-taggants are embedded in or applied to the agricultural products, allowing for unique identification and tracking. The system includes a database that stores data associated with the micro-taggants, enabling users to monitor the status, origin, and movement of the products. The system further includes second micro-taggants, which are distinct from the primary micro-taggants. Both sets of micro-taggants are used to enhance tracking capabilities, ensuring redundancy and reliability in the data. Each set of micro-taggants has different access controls, allowing different levels of authorization for viewing or tracking the status of the agricultural product. This ensures that sensitive information is protected while still enabling necessary stakeholders to access relevant data. The system may also include a reader device for detecting and reading the micro-taggants, as well as a user interface for managing access controls and viewing tracking information. The overall system improves supply chain transparency, security, and efficiency in agricultural product management.
21. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the agricultural products comprise at least one of: cannabis, alcohol, coffee, cacao, tea, or product packaging.
A micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system is designed to enhance traceability and authentication of high-value agricultural products throughout the supply chain. The system addresses challenges in verifying product origin, quality, and authenticity, which are critical for compliance, consumer trust, and market integrity. Micro-taggants—tiny, unique identifiers—are embedded or applied to agricultural products or their packaging, enabling precise tracking from cultivation to distribution. These taggants are detectable using specialized scanning or analytical techniques, ensuring tamper-evident and forgery-resistant tracking. The system is particularly suited for products like cannabis, alcohol, coffee, cacao, tea, and their packaging, where regulatory requirements and market demands for transparency are stringent. The micro-taggants may be incorporated during production or applied post-harvest, depending on the product type. The tracking system integrates with databases to log and verify product movement, batch information, and handling conditions, providing end-to-end visibility. This helps prevent counterfeiting, ensures compliance with regulations, and allows for rapid recalls if necessary. The use of micro-taggants ensures that the tracking data is securely linked to the physical product, reducing fraud and enhancing supply chain reliability.
22. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the agricultural products comprise at least one of a high-value crop, a derivative of a high-value crop, a government regulated crop, or a derivative of a government regulated crop.
The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system is designed to enhance traceability and authentication of high-value and regulated agricultural products. The system utilizes micro-taggants—tiny, unique identifiers embedded in or applied to agricultural products—to track their origin, processing, and distribution. These micro-taggants can be detected using specialized scanning or analytical techniques, ensuring product authenticity and compliance with regulatory standards. The system is particularly suited for high-value crops, their derivatives, government-regulated crops, or derivatives of such crops. These products often require strict monitoring due to their economic importance, susceptibility to counterfeiting, or regulatory oversight. By integrating micro-taggants, the system enables precise tracking throughout the supply chain, from farm to consumer, reducing fraud and ensuring quality control. The micro-taggants may be embedded during cultivation, processing, or packaging, depending on the product type. Detection methods can include optical, chemical, or electronic scanning, allowing for seamless integration into existing supply chain management systems. The system also supports data logging and analysis, providing stakeholders with real-time tracking and verification capabilities. This approach addresses challenges in agricultural product authentication, regulatory compliance, and supply chain transparency, particularly for high-value and regulated commodities. The use of micro-taggants ensures tamper-evident tracking, enhancing trust and efficiency in agricultural trade.
23. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the at least one processor: receives identifier information for the plurality of agricultural products from a plurality of hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) taggant readers; and tracks the plurality of agricultural products through a supply chain based at least in part on the received identifier information.
This invention relates to a micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system designed to enhance traceability and authentication of agricultural products throughout the supply chain. The system addresses challenges in verifying product origin, quality, and authenticity, which are critical for food safety, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. The system utilizes micro-taggants—tiny, unique identifiers embedded in or applied to agricultural products—detectable via hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) technology. These taggants are designed to be imperceptible to the human eye but can be read by specialized HSI taggant readers, which capture spectral data to decode the embedded identifiers. The system includes at least one processor that processes this identifier information from multiple HSI readers distributed across the supply chain, enabling real-time tracking of individual products or batches. The processor correlates the spectral data with pre-stored reference profiles to authenticate products and monitor their movement from production to distribution. This ensures transparency, reduces counterfeiting risks, and facilitates recalls if necessary. The system may also integrate with databases to log additional metadata, such as harvest dates, processing conditions, or transportation details, further enhancing traceability. By leveraging HSI technology, the system provides a non-destructive, scalable solution for verifying agricultural product integrity across global supply networks.
24. The security system of claim 18 wherein the micro-taggants are unidentifiable to an unaided eye.
The invention relates to a security system designed to prevent counterfeiting and unauthorized reproduction of products. The system incorporates micro-taggants, which are microscopic particles or markers embedded in or applied to a product. These micro-taggants are engineered to be unidentifiable to the unaided human eye, meaning they cannot be seen without the aid of specialized equipment such as microscopes or other detection devices. The micro-taggants serve as a covert security feature, making it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate the product without detection. The system may also include additional security measures, such as unique identifiers or authentication mechanisms, to further enhance verification processes. The micro-taggants can be distributed uniformly or in specific patterns across the product, ensuring that their presence is detectable only through authorized inspection methods. This covert nature helps maintain the integrity of the product while deterring counterfeiters who lack access to the necessary detection technology. The system is particularly useful for high-value or easily counterfeited items, such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, or documents, where authentication is critical.
25. The security system of claim 18 wherein each of the micro-taggants encodes identifier information for each of the respective agricultural products which identifies tracking information of the respective agricultural products.
The invention relates to a security system for agricultural products, addressing the need for traceability and authentication in the supply chain. The system uses micro-taggants—tiny, identifiable markers embedded in or applied to agricultural products—to encode unique identifier information. This identifier information includes tracking details such as origin, production batch, handling history, and other relevant data for each product. The micro-taggants enable verification of authenticity, prevent counterfeiting, and facilitate real-time monitoring of agricultural goods as they move through the supply chain. The system ensures that each product can be individually tracked, enhancing transparency and accountability in food safety and quality control. The micro-taggants may be detectable using specialized readers or imaging techniques, allowing authorized parties to access the encoded tracking information. This approach improves supply chain integrity by providing a tamper-evident method to verify product provenance and handling conditions. The system is particularly useful for high-value or regulated agricultural products where traceability is critical.
26. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of agricultural products comprises at least one of seeds, flowers, oils, concentrates, edibles, infusions, distillates, fermentations, or product packaging.
The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system is designed to enhance traceability and authentication of agricultural products throughout the supply chain. The system addresses challenges in verifying product origin, quality, and authenticity, which are critical for regulatory compliance, consumer trust, and anti-counterfeiting measures. The system utilizes micro-taggants—tiny, unique identifiers embedded in or applied to agricultural products—to enable tracking from production to distribution. The system can be applied to a wide range of agricultural products, including seeds, flowers, oils, concentrates, edibles, infusions, distillates, fermentations, and product packaging. These micro-taggants are detectable using specialized scanning or imaging technologies, allowing for real-time verification of product authenticity and supply chain integrity. The system may also integrate with databases to store and retrieve product-specific data, such as origin, processing history, and certification details. By embedding or attaching micro-taggants to these products, the system ensures that each item can be uniquely identified, reducing the risk of fraud, contamination, or unauthorized substitution. The technology is particularly valuable in industries where product authenticity and traceability are paramount, such as cannabis, food, and pharmaceuticals. The system enhances transparency, improves regulatory compliance, and strengthens consumer confidence in the product's legitimacy.
27. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the micro-taggants are constructed of materials that do not burn, oxidize or otherwise degrade upon combustion.
The agricultural product tracking system uses micro-taggants to monitor and authenticate agricultural products throughout their supply chain. The system addresses challenges in traceability, counterfeiting, and quality control by embedding micro-taggants—tiny, identifiable particles—into agricultural products or their packaging. These micro-taggants are detectable using specialized scanning or imaging techniques, allowing for verification of product origin, authenticity, and handling history. The micro-taggants in this system are designed to withstand combustion without burning, oxidizing, or degrading. This ensures that the taggants remain intact and detectable even if the product is subjected to high temperatures, such as during processing, cooking, or accidental fires. The non-degradable nature of the micro-taggants preserves their integrity, enabling reliable tracking and authentication regardless of environmental or processing conditions. The system may also include a database or networked tracking infrastructure to log and verify the micro-taggants' data, providing end-to-end traceability for agricultural products.
28. The micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system of claim 18 wherein the micro-taggants are constructed of non-toxic and inert materials that do not react with compounds when mixed with oils, concentrates, solvents, dilutions, dispersions and suspensions.
The invention relates to a micro-taggant based agricultural product tracking system designed to monitor and authenticate agricultural products throughout their supply chain. The system addresses the challenge of ensuring product integrity, preventing counterfeiting, and verifying origin and handling conditions in the agricultural industry. Micro-taggants, which are microscopic particles or markers, are embedded into agricultural products such as oils, concentrates, solvents, dilutions, dispersions, and suspensions. These micro-taggants are constructed from non-toxic and inert materials that do not chemically react with the compounds they are mixed with, ensuring they remain stable and detectable without altering the product's properties. The system allows for traceability by enabling the detection and identification of these micro-taggants at various stages of production, distribution, and consumption. This helps in verifying authenticity, tracking supply chain movements, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The inert and non-reactive nature of the micro-taggants ensures they do not degrade or interact with the agricultural products, maintaining their effectiveness over time. The system may also include detection mechanisms such as spectroscopy, imaging, or other analytical techniques to read and interpret the micro-taggants, providing real-time or batch-based tracking data. This technology enhances transparency, reduces fraud, and improves quality control in agricultural product supply chains.
29. The system of claim 18 , wherein the micro-taggant is generally recognized as safe for consumption.
The system relates to a micro-taggant-based authentication and tracking system for consumable products, addressing the need for secure, tamper-evident identification of goods in the supply chain. The system includes a micro-taggant, which is a microscopic, chemically identifiable marker embedded in or applied to a consumable product. This micro-taggant is designed to be generally recognized as safe for consumption, ensuring it does not pose health risks if ingested. The micro-taggant contains unique chemical or physical identifiers that can be detected using specialized analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy or microscopy, to verify authenticity and trace the product's origin. The system may also include a database or networked verification system that cross-references detected micro-taggant signatures with registered product data to confirm legitimacy and prevent counterfeiting. The micro-taggant can be integrated into packaging, labels, or directly into the product itself, depending on the application. The system ensures that the micro-taggant remains stable under normal storage and handling conditions while being detectable only with appropriate analytical tools, preventing unauthorized replication. This approach enhances supply chain security, consumer safety, and brand protection for consumable goods.
30. The system of claim 18 , wherein the micro-taggant can be utilized as a fertilizer when applied to the agricultural product.
This invention relates to a system for agricultural applications, specifically involving micro-taggants that serve a dual purpose as both tracking markers and fertilizers. The system addresses the need for efficient crop monitoring and nutrient delivery in agriculture. The micro-taggants are designed to be applied to agricultural products, such as crops or soil, where they function as traceable markers to monitor growth, environmental conditions, or supply chain integrity. Additionally, these micro-taggants are formulated to release nutrients, acting as fertilizers to enhance plant growth. The dual functionality reduces the need for separate tracking and fertilization processes, improving efficiency and sustainability in farming practices. The micro-taggants may be embedded in or coated onto agricultural products, ensuring they remain effective as both markers and nutrient sources. The system may include sensors or analytical tools to detect and analyze the micro-taggants, providing real-time data on crop health and nutrient distribution. This approach streamlines agricultural operations by integrating monitoring and fertilization into a single application.
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December 1, 2020
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